Ludovic Badey

Ludovic Badey is an accomplished racing driver from France who achieved the most in sports car racing.

He was never a champion but he was among the front-runners few times in different competitions, finishing third in Megane Trophy Eurocup in 2005, third in Porsche Carrera Cup France in 2010, second in Pro-Am Cup of the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2011 and, most recently, second in LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series in 2015. In 2014, Badey finished second in LMP2 class at 24 Hours of Le Mans, sharing a podium with Pierre Thiriet and Tristan Gommendy.

Ludovic Badey

Two seasons in Formula Renault early in a career

Born in April 1980, Ludovic Badey started his racing career in the French Formula Renault. He made one start in 2002 with Hexis Racing and then raced full time in 2003. He scored no wins or podiums, finishing 16th in the points.

In 2004, he was combining full-time commitment in the French Formula Renault with a part-time schedule in the Formula Renault Eurocup, driving for Tech 1 Racing.

Three seasons in the Megane Trophy Eurocup

In 2005, Badey stayed connected with Renault, participating in the inaugural season of the Megane Trophy Eurocup. Driving for Pouchelon Racing, he was pretty successful, winning four races and finishing third in the points, behind Jan Heylen and Renaud Derlot.

In 2006, he joined TDS Racing and scored five podiums in six races, including one victory, before crashing at Misano. He missed the rest of the season. He returned in 2007, spending a full season with TDS Racing but not winning a race. He appeared in one more Megane Trophy Eurocup round in 2008 but he switched to another competition.

Three seasons in the French Porsche Carrera Cup

In 2008, Badey's main duty was to drive a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup for Graff Racing in the French Porsche Carrera Cup. He was without wins or podiums in his debut season, finishing 8th in points. Next year, he improved his results, scoring two podiums and finishing 7th in the points.

He finally scored maiden Carrera Cup victory in 2010 while driving for Sofrev ASP. He added eight more podiums to finish third in the final standings, behind Frederic Makowiecki and Kevin Estre.

Switching to Ferrari in 2011

In 2011, Badey continued to drive for Sofrev ASP but he moved into the cockpit of a Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, racing with that car in the French GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series. He won one race in the national championship, finishing fifth in the points together with Jean-Luc Beaubelique.

In the Blancpain Endurance Series, he competed in Pro-Am Cup together with Jean-Luc Beaubelique and Franck Morel in the #20 Ferrari. They scored two class wins, including at Spa 24 Hours, to finish second in the final standings.

Ludovic Badey with his 2012 Le Mans teammates Fabien Giroix and Stefan Johansson

Le Mans 24h debut in 2012

In 2012, Badey repeated a double programme with Sofrev ASP Ferrari, finishing 11th in the French GT Championship and sixth in the Pro-Am Cup of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

In June 2012, he made a debut at 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving the #28 Lola B12/80 LMP2 prototype for Gulf Racing Middle East. His co-drivers were Fabien Giroix and Stefan Johansson. They retired after 92 laps.

Rejoining TDS Racing in 2013

In 2013, Bady rejoined TDS Racing and competed with the team in the French GT Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series in a BMW Z4 GT3. He scored no wins, finishing fourth in the BES Pro-Am Cup and 12th in the national championship.

In June 2013, he returned to Le Mans in the #46 Oreca 03-Nissan, sharing a car with Pierre Thiriet and Maxime Martin. They retired after 310 laps.

Piere Thiriet, Ludovic Badey, Tristan Gommendy

LMP2 podium at 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours

In 2014, Badey competed in two championships with two teams. He returned to Sofrev ASP's Ferrari in the French GT Championship, scoring one victory to finish ninth, and raced with TDS Racing's Oreca in the European Le Mans Series, scoring one victory to finish eight in LMP2 classification.

The highlight of the season was his third attempt at Circuit de la Sarthe. He finally reached the finish line and celebrated a podium. He was second in LMP2 class together with Pierre Thiriet and Tristan Gommendy.

In 2015, Badey won two ELMS races in the #46 Oreca

Vice-champion in the 2015 European Le Mans Series

In 2015, Badey became the vice-champion of LMP2 class in the European Le Mans Series after winning two races in the #46 Oreca 05-Nissan with TDS Racing. He was a race winner at Imola and Estoril, losing a title by two points to Greaves Motorsport crew. Outside ELMS, he recorded DNF at 24 Hours of Le Mans with TDS Racing's Oreca and one start with Akka ASP's Ferrari in the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Badey was out of racing in 2016, returning to race tracks in 2017 with Akka ASP team in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup. He was driving the #89 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in all five events but without notable results.

Ludovic Badey

Photos: ELMS, autonewsinfo.com,